Question 1

i had a ct with contrast in 2018 and 2019. in terms of radiation is it safe to have another one this year to assess my urinary tract?

Accepted Answer

: Repeatedly exposure to radiation and intravenous contrast concerns me even you are young. If possible, can the follow up CT be done without IV contrast although your kidney function is normal?  If your condition can be followed with ultrasound, it will be less radiation because you are still too young. Can you tell us more what your condition which is required imaging follow up?

Question 2

had ct of pelvis and abdomen- does that include bladder where the report says "urinary tract" ?

Accepted Answer

Yes.: Here is a helpful link which outlines the organs covered in a CT pelvis/abdomen.

https://healdove.com/health-care-industry/CT-Scan-of-Abdoman-and-Pelvis-with-Contrast

Question 3

sandy, gritty particals on toilet bowl w urine? goes away once drinking water.don't drink alot daily. urinary tract nml on ct.cmp nml. dehydration?

Accepted Answer

Interesting: Glad to hear that your CT and CMP are normal.  Dehydration can cause crystals to come out of solution and come out as grit in the urine.  It is important to obtain a simple urinalysis to evaluate your urine.  If there are any abnormalities, such as blood or crystals, you should visit with a urologist.

Question 4

the urinary tract infection can cause cancer?

Accepted Answer

UTI and cancer: No usually except for schistosomiasis which doesn't generally happen in the US. The disease is most commonly found in Africa, as well as Asia and South America

Question 5

why can't a ct scan see colon cancer well? how large would it need to be to be seen?

Accepted Answer

See below: A ct scan sees solid structures better than hollow ones. Early colon cancer begins on the inside lining of the colon. Unless there is a mass that may be growing outside the colon wall, or a mass several centimeters in size, then it will not be seen on ct scan.  Specialized ct colonography can see inside the colon, but needs to have a large enough growth & still cannot tell if it is benign or not.

Question 6

can a ct scan see stage 2 colon cancer?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Stage ii colon cancer is early stage, limited to the lining of the colon. If your question refers to the use of sophisticated ct imaging (virtual colonoscopy). The answer is yes as it has been used to pick up polyps. In colon cancer patients, ct is used to look at whether there is measureable disease outside the colon in the lymph nodes and/or liver.

Question 7

my cancer doctor is doing a ct scan why? is she doing it to see if the cancer is back?

Accepted Answer

CT very useful: CT scans are often very useful to check to see if cancer has returned (as you had guessed).  So getting ct scans periodically, such as every 6 months, or every year is Common, and is an excellent tool for this reason.  CT is also helpful to determine the extent of disease, which organs are involved, and if cancer has spread or enlarged.  They also help to see if it has responded well to treatment.

Question 8

can a cystoscopy see cancer that a ct scan cannot? i have to do a cystoscopy even though nothing showed in the ct scan.

Accepted Answer

Yes: CAT scan and other forms of imaging are not good for detecting bladder cancer. Bladder cancer is best detected by direct visualization with cystoscopy.

Question 9

is it true that the primary tumor in small cell lung cancer is often occult? does this mean even a ct scan can't see it? do we only detect on spread

Accepted Answer

At some point: in its development, every cancer is "occult" because it originates on a microscopic level.  CT has a high sensitivity for detecting lung cancer, approximately 95%, so CT will detect the vast majority of lung cancers.

Question 10

hello, i am 37, and have been having right flank pain recently. i got xrays taken a week ago, and was told today that they see "something" in the upper left quadrant and i need a ct scan. i'm wondering what the odds are that it's serious/cancer?

Accepted Answer

: Cancer almost zero. Serious? time will tell.

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Doctor answers about:

Can ct scan see cancers in urinary tract

A member asked:

I had a ct with contrast in 2018 and 2019. in terms of radiation is it safe to have another one this year to assess my urinary tract?

A member asked:

Had ct of pelvis and abdomen- does that include bladder where the report says "urinary tract" ?

A member asked:

Sandy, gritty particals on toilet bowl w urine? goes away once drinking water.don't drink alot daily. urinary tract nml on ct.cmp nml. dehydration?

A member asked:

The urinary tract infection can cause cancer?

A member asked:

Why can't a ct scan see colon cancer well? how large would it need to be to be seen?

A member asked:

Can a ct scan see stage 2 colon cancer?

A member asked:

My cancer doctor is doing a ct scan why? is she doing it to see if the cancer is back?

A member asked:

Can a cystoscopy see cancer that a ct scan cannot? i have to do a cystoscopy even though nothing showed in the ct scan.

A member asked:

Is it true that the primary tumor in small cell lung cancer is often occult? does this mean even a ct scan can't see it? do we only detect on spread

A member asked:

Hello, i am 37, and have been having right flank pain recently. i got xrays taken a week ago, and was told today that they see "something" in the upper left quadrant and i need a ct scan. i'm wondering what the odds are that it's serious/cancer?

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